May 2025 Update: Returning To Our Roots For Renewal
In a world that often feels heavy with injustice, we return to our spiritual roots for renewal, courage, and clarity. This May, Side With Love invites you to act in alignment with our deepest values—from marching for workers’ and immigrant rights on May Day, to gathering in community for reflection and strategy, to recommitting to climate justice and prophetic resistance. We invite you to connect, reflect, and take action—grounded in love, guided by faith, and held by community.
May 1st: May National Day of Action
On Thursday, May 1, join a local May Day National Day of Action! Find an event near you at maydaystrong.org. Join thousands of others who are resisting the defunding of our schools, the targeting of immigrant families, and the dismantling of public services. On May Day, we are fighting for our families, our rights, and our freedoms and for a future that works for working families.
In Support of Mohsen Mahdawi and All Imprisoned Student Activists
We join our beloveds in Vermont and beyond in supporting Mohsen Mahdawi, the latest university student to be imprisoned for his courageous opposition to the war in Gaza. These escalating attempts to criminalize peaceful protest and silence dissent—especially among young, immigrant, and marginalized voices—undermine the very foundation of our democracy.
Mahdawi’s story is deeply rooted in his Vermont community, including his relationship with the First Universalist Society of Hartland. This piece from Vermont Public offers a moving glimpse into his life and the love that surrounds him: Read the story.
We hold Mohsen and all imprisoned students in our hearts and prayers. Our commitment to the values of pluralism, justice, and equity compels us to speak out, show up, and remain steadfast in the face of repression. We echo the call to release all student activists.
The Gathering: Fortifying Ourselves for the Long Road Ahead
Join The Gathering, Side With Love’s monthly virtual event to strengthen your spirit, make sense of the threats to democracy, and take meaningful action alongside others.
This month at The Gathering, we will be anchored in the poetry of Rev. Julián Jamaica Soto and Side with Love’s Nicole Pressley will invite us into learning about strategy and what makes economic strategies like boycotts successful (or not!).
Join The Gathering:
📅 RSVP for The Gathering Monday, May 12th
8 ET, 7 CT, 6 MT, 5 PT
Or if you are a board member or on staff at a congregation,
join Now What: The Gathering for Congregational staff and board members:
📅 RSVP for Now What: The Gathering Wednesday, May 14th
1pm ET, 12pm CT, 11am MT, 10am PT
See past Gathering recordings and resources.
Congregational Sign-on: An Open Letter Rejecting Presidential Attacks on Nonprofit Organizations
The UUA has signed onto this open letter rejecting presidential attacks on nonprofit organizations, started by the ACLU.
From the letter: “This attack on nonprofits is not happening in a vacuum, but as a part of a wholesale offensive against organizations and individuals that advocate for ideas or serve communities that the president finds objectionable, and that seek to enforce the rule of law against the federal government. Whether the target is a church, an environmental or good government group, a refugee assistance organization, university, a law firm, or a former or current government official, weaponizing the executive branch to punish their speech or their views is illegal and wrong. It is also an attack on the very notion that government power must serve the people, not those in office.”
Congregations are invited to sign on as well.
May 12th Deadline to Submit Actions of Immediate Witness (AIW)
An Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) is a statement about a significant action, event, or development in the world that necessitates immediate engagement and action among UU member congregations and groups.
The AIW process allows Unitarian Universalists to respond quickly to social issues deemed urgent. Adopted AIWs are used by congregations in local efforts and empower them to take action and recommend action through other departments of the UUA and other Unitarian Universalist groups.
Congregations may submit an AIW for consideration at General Assembly 2025. Deadline to submit is May 12th. Learn more.
Learn about the new Green Sanctuary Process & Materials
The Green Sanctuary: Mobilizing for Climate Justice materials and process have been completely revitalized to encourage:
More action, less paperwork
More congregational support, less UUA approval
More manageable processes, less burden—and so much more!
All congregations are invited to recommit to their climate justice commitments by engaging with the newly revitalized Green Sanctuary 2030 process, which includes only one requirement for annual recognition.
🔗Join us on May 21 to learn about the new materials and how congregations are using the new process.
We are moving away from the “one and done” accreditation model to an annual renewal process that celebrates incremental change and ongoing commitments. The goal is no longer accreditation—the goal is creating climate justice in our communities.
📅 RSVP for Green Sanctuary New Materials Convo
7 ET, 6 CT, 5 MT, 4 PT
As Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt reminds us, “I am convinced that we are called to be a people of fierce love, committed to the work of justice, and grounded in the spiritual practices that sustain us.” May these events be fuel for your spirit and fire for your justice work. We’re grateful to be in this movement with you.
The Side With Love Team
